Positive Ape

I agree that imperial sucks. 

but I went through a phase of calling a standard piece of framing timber "90x45" and it just became cumbersome. 4 x 2 is easy to say and it works.

I guess you have a point about 2 x 3.5 though!

What about those 2.3 litre Transit motors that used to go in these?

I'm not sure, were they the V4 motors?

Many moons ago I was a passenger in a 2.3 litre Viva and it was a riot - oh hang on, I drove it too. After that I was dead keen on that engine swap.

Otherwise, why not just chuck some cheap/secondhand parts at your current motor then fit one of those aliexpress superchargers that everyone is fizzing over in the Tech thread?

Its an age thing with me. 

I remember when i was sub 25 i used to resent older people turning up to anything i was at. God knows why, what a dick etc but thats how i was.

now im 43 i dont want to be that old dude. 

cam sprocket one tooth out after belt change?

I found the pics for this roller skate in a long-lost folder so I thought I would do a bit of a write -up in this long-lost thread

1990 Peugeot 205 GTi

The good

Man this thing really handled. I have never driven a car before or since that was so controllable with the throttle. When you planted it mid-corner it would tighten its line and dive for the apex which was so fun. It seemed to get even better with a bit of weight in the boot and I had one memorable drive around western lake fully loaded with household effects - good times.

Torque. 1.9 litre engine so it pulled well and was stress-free up hills.

Styling. It looked cool, and I loved those 15 inch alloy wheels

The bad

Pretty much everything else. Engine was reluctant to rev and not at all sporty. (<- disclaimer: this car was a japanese import so lower compression. UK spec might be better)

Interior rattled like it was going to fall apart at any moment

Brakes were nothing special

Steering was heavy (non power steer)

Under bonnet looked like a dogs breakfast (I'm spoiled by jap twin cams I guess)

Conclusion

Overrated. Other cars go harder and handle almost as well.

Hey wow, is that Practical Classics, Alex?

ditto. It was a good watch - chur.

Anyone seen that doco about the NZ small town rugby club? I want to see that one next

IMHO older vehicle owners either like cheap motoring or they like to be special.

I'm a cheapo, so I like cars that cost a few grand or less and allow for some DiY input. This means older vehicles appeal to me. Not cos they are "classic" in terms of design, performance, or whatever

The other group buy the real classics. Beautiful/fast/unique vehicles that make other people envious.

Sweet, I'm quite happy with that definition. ^^^

Consequently... a Tiida ain't gonna be classic but some poor sod such as myself will still be welding them up and tracking down NOS Tiida parts 20 years from now

How was Cars 2? I didn't see it for some reason

My friend, who is a mechanic with 25 years experience, went with a D-Max

Salient points that I remember from an avalanche of information about work utes...

- Dmax engine is a proven design, been in production for 10 years. Everything that breaks has been sorted out

- Transmission is a proper 4 x 4 unit, not that Tremec 6 speed that goes in to Colorados (Commodore tranny). However, he said that the very latest D-Maxes are 6 speed so this may no longer apply.

-A D-Max is a lot cheaper than a landcruiser.

- Plastic shit is all the same. He said that one manufacturer's bits of plastic were the same as another

I saw a Hyundai Scoupe in The Warehouse carpark on Saturday. Twas '91 though, so not quite oldschool.

I had the thought "collect and care for it, then export back to Korea in a few years".

Nostalgia has happened big-time in Japan, why not Korea?

Possible plan for your Stellar?

urgggg, it's going to be a thrice weekly commuter? Nah. I doubt it would be cheaper than the commodore when you factor in the usual second-hand car issues and supercharged fuel consumption. It probably runs on 95 or 98 octane to make it even worse

Are you going to use it as a daily or is it a weekend/holiday fun car?

for 2k? will be rusted to the point of insanity won't it?

my 1992 TX3 was $2500. They are good

How about a Nissan SSS or GTi? I've never driven one but they are usually well priced

fast / cheap to own / cheap to buy    <---- pick any two

does that even work?  I'm thinking of how commmodores and falcons are pretty fast but their fuel consumption around town puts me off.

and turbocharged vehicles require more maintenance

And the hot hatches which I prefer aren't really fast. They are fun, but not really fast.

Late model euro might be alright if you work on them yourself and order parts online. My cousin once borrowed one of these

off the lot and it was EPIC! 4.1 litre twin turbo V8 diesel with 650Nm. For $40,000 its cheaper and (IMHO) not as "guns and ammo" as a new ute .

But not really what this thread is about, so I would go for this

turbo Saab. but auto    (it's a hard road finding the perfect car)

This. With an impact driver and some tech (tek?) screws i could house the wotld

I agree with Brockzila. My Dad has a 2012 Cerato and it isn't very friendly to tall drivers. Seems like a good car otherwise.

In Korea climatic conditions can be brutal and servicing is haphazard so I've always respected the ability of Korean cars to keep going. Shit, I've seen a traffic jam that stretches for over 150km, with 34 degrees and 90% humidity showing on the weather forecast. Traffic is stop-start crawling for 6 hours with the air con blasting and even the shitty 90s Sonatas and Avantis (Elantra) don't break down.

1993 Honda Accord SiR

Don't be fooled by these things, there ain't much SiR about them except the engine. Aside from that they are a quality vehicle that will transport you in comfort for many thousands of kilometres.

Good things

Full fat H22a vtec motor. Poooo-baaaaaa and all that. Within a narrow rev range (about 6000 to 7400 from memory) this is gods own 4 cylinder engine. Below 4000 it's flat as a pancake. 4000 to 6000 it's like any other donk

Climate air, cruise control

Nice styling. The SiRs come with a subtle bodykit that looks really good. The basic vehicle is a decent looker anyway so it adds up to a good looking car

Huge boot and good interior space

It'll pull 2.5 tonnes up a hill on a dirt road. TBH I only did this once and I was shitting bricks. 2+ tonne of clay soil on a hire trailer, pulled a couple of kays to the tip then up to the clean-fill area. Probably more of a tribute to the tow bar than the car but I was impressed all the same

Bad things

fuel consumption nothing special. about 10 litres per 100k around town, 8-9 on the open road (mine had an auto trans)

handling is pretty shite. Mine was possibly rooted suspension-wise but it was an awful understeerer. Perhaps that's why flat peakers lower them - to get them to go where they are pointed

That's it really.

Gah, a quick google search turns up this

http://www.fitaudio.com/?View=entry&EntryID=162

I didn't think finding the info would be that easy! Thanks all

Anyone know how to remove the head unit from a 06 Mazda Atenza?  I can't see how to get the trim off and I don't want to wreck it

Thanks

ouch, I dunno how a ply box is gonna help you out of that situation. How about making up a couple of jerry-can holders so you can transport your fuel on your trailer? Then putting your fadges on your back seat?

sweet thread. I'm a sucker for limited edition, slightly warmed-over versions of everyday cars and this certainly fits the bill. Keep up the good work!

yeah, hydraulic clutch. Master cylinder shares a reservoir with the brake master.

slave has been replaced in the last couple of years, I saw it in the pile of receipts.

Cheers K-trips, I adjusted the clutch according to my Haynes manual and reverse is no longer an issue... but now it has a random problem where the clutch won't engage.

So far it has only happened when I have driven out out of the gate from work and then stopped to check my phone (twice in the last week). Suddenly the clutch pedal will go to the floor without engaging. Then, just as quickly, it comes right again and I can drive away as per normal. Any ideas?

oooo, those engines are sweet. Does that mean your Beagle is an EF series?